In 2023, it was the men’s doubles final that went five games in Las Vegas. On Sunday, it was the women’s doubles final.

Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau outdueled No. 2 seeds Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher 10-12, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 12-10 in what might be the best women’s doubles match we have ever seen in pro pickleball.

The bout featured excellent pickleball from all involved, but two key difference-makers were Rohrabacher’s offensive lobs from the right side and Bright’s aggressive one-handed backhand flick out of the air.

Those shots helped the No. 2 seeds earn a 2-1 game advantage and even a 7-2 lead in Game 5.

In that deciding game, Waters and Parenteau rallied back to get to 9-7, finding success driving thirds at their opponents as they tried to unwind the stack on the return.

Bright and Rohrabacher stopped the bleeding and scored three of their own to get Championship Point at 10-9.

A few minutes later, though, it was Waters and Parenteau who hoisted the trophy after an instant classic that lasted nearly two and a half hours.

Parenteau applauded the mental resilience of the 17-year-old Waters.

“She’s so mentally tough, and just looking at her gives me so much confidence in tight moments,” she said. “I’m happy to get the W next to her.”

Sunday marked the third time in three tournaments that the top two seeds have faced off for gold; Bright and Rohrabacher won in Atlanta, while Waters and Parenteau won last week in Virginia Beach.

Waters is looking forward to more battles like Sunday’s as all four players continue to redefine the pinnacle of pickleball.

“I think it’s great that we’re pushing each other,” she mentioned. “They’re gonna go work on stuff, we’re gonna go work on stuff, and the matches are going to get even better.”

One can only hope, right?

In the bronze medal match, No. 4 seeds Lea Jansen and Lucy Kovalova defeated No. 8 seeds Jade and Jackie Kawamoto by an 11-6, 11-6 score line.